The High Queen's Vow [The Mystic Women of The Realm Series Book IV]

by Robbie Collins

  Mil'der'in blushed, “You are not an easy one to face down, my Queen."

  "High Counselor? Is this the first moment that we have prior danced together?"

  "There was one other moment, Highness, but an urgency arose and you had to leave. That was the last moment we ever prior thought of each other in that regard. We never crossed such paths again, as prescribed by our laws."

  They danced, enjoying the moment of coming back together as strong friends. As the dance was completing its course, San'lr'in’ looked intensely into Mil'der'in's eyes, frightening her.

  The dance halted, but San'lr'in’ held onto Mil'der'in's hand, “Mil'der'in.” She hesitated a moment, then said in a most serious of tones, “Thank you. Only a friend such as you could have done as such. I am most truly in your debt."

  Mil'der'in blushed as she smiled, “I performed my duty as you would have of me, my Queen."

  "And I thank you for it. I know well the difficulty of such."

  Fon'elnn’ came up to San'lr'in', “My Queen, may I having the next dance with the High Counselor?"

  San'lr'in’ bowed slightly to Mil'der'in, then gave her hand to the Master, “You will have to ask that question of her, but ask it quickly, Master, as our High Counselor is a most desirable of women, and the most respected among them.” She began to walk away, then turned and said, “As she should be, given her greatness."

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  Chapter VI

  To El'fs'nd'lle

  El'fs'nd'lle. The name itself brought forward visions of a magical place to all the journeyers. Their journey had been long and hazardous, and the travelers were tired beyond measure, but the wonderment of El'fs'nd'lle urged them on to even greater motivation.

  Yet, as El'fs'nd'lle grew closer, so did the possible danger. Having gone well out of their way to reach the Elfin town of great lore, their enemies had been temporarily tricked. The moment was temporary, however, as all those in The High Queen's company knew full well that their enemies would be waiting for them at the gates, if not sooner. And The High Queen well knew that Ll'strin'll was waiting for her—waiting to finish the challenge.

  Fully armed and prepared at all the moments, the ride remained tense and watchful for possible attack and danger. Although the Dark Sorcerer had been removed from The Realm, he had been only one of many potential enemies.

  Just prior to their departure, Ann'wn asked for an audience with her Queen. San'lr'in’ had been tended and prepared for the ride, but while waiting for their departure, she called her great winged raptor to her. Even with the raptor now on her arm, Ann'wn was one of the few to whom she seldom denied her audience. The raptor waited patiently as the audience began.

  Ann'wn knelt and bowed her head, “My Queen."

  The High Queen spoke calmly so as to not alarm the great bird, “Rise, Force Leader."

  "We have four eves prior to El'fs'nd'lle, by our best guess. We will be prepared to leave in a few moments only, Highness."

  She nodded, saying nothing, but examining Ann'wn intently. She guessed that Ann'wn had requested her audience to try to convince her of something disagreeable.

  Ann'wn was slightly unnerved to see the great raptor resting so comfortably on The High Queen's arm. As The High Queen petted the back of the raptor's head, the raptor's beady eyes watched Ann'wn's every move, as if Ann'wn were a threat to The High Queen.

  "I have had a counsel with my forces, Highness."

  She waited, yet petting the bird's neck.

  "My Queen. I would like to send your Private Guard in one direction, your Black Guard in another, and have the remainder of the travelers approach from the north of El'fs'nd'lle, after many of the battles have been fought."

  She kissed the bird's beak lightly, and the bird returned the kiss, “You would risk so many of our finest, Force Leader?"

  "It is their request, Highness.

  "To potential, but unneeded death? They know not the possible dangers before them. I would challenge them to think differently than their usual custom of facing battle directly. To win the gates of El'fs'nd'lle may take cunning and wit, rather than brute force. We will need to take them by surprise, if our enemies await us, and like you and your forces, they would await the face-on battle."

  "My Queen?"

  "Consider using the Black Guard to scout what now faces us, Force Leader. We dare travel only one turn more at the most, until our strategy is well in-place. Perhaps we will have no battle at all, but we must ensure the Elf's safety. You have My leave."

  Ann'wn knew she had been dismissed. She bowed, “My Queen."

  The turn's journey was swift and without incident, an unusual occurrence for them of late. They began their ride as the sun approached just above the horizon, and ended as it began to set in the other. The camp and eve meal were quickly prepared, yet, while all seemed peaceful, the guards were on full alert.

  Sle'nel’ was yet healing, and her thoughts were yet angered and disturbed at the Dark Sorcerer. San'lr'in’ watched closely over her, but allowed Sle'nel’ the privacy needed in such instances, while often reminding the Elf of her presence. Sle'nel’ had ridden slower than the front guards upon the turn, overly pained from her wounds, glad to finally see the camp before her.

  The Healer was feeling much improved, her head and arm being the most remaining of her wounds. As she entered the camp along with Sle'nel’ and The High Queen, Ann'wn was there to meet her, saying little. While on their guard, the guards seldom spoke, even in camp.

  The Healer turned to Sle'nel’ as they dismounted, “Allow me to remove some of your pains, Sle'nel'?"

  The Healer placed her hand to the Elf's head, then to her shoulder, then bent down to her knee, providing both some relief from the pain as well as increased healing to the wounds.

  "I would like to examine these wounds later, with your permission?"

  Before Sle'nel’ could disagree, San'lr'in’ did so for her, “A most excellent idea, Healer. While I have been able to provide healing and comfort from the pain, I am certainly no healer. It is good to have you slightly returned to The Realm and your duties."

  "And you need to restore all your powers to you, High One. You have used overly many of them on the three of us. While we are grateful for this assistance, it is the moment for you to do otherwise."

  Ann'wn came up, knelt, and bowed her head, “My Queen?"

  "Rise, Force Leader. Is all well about us?"

  She nodded, “Yes, my Queen. We have the perimeter fully guarded this eve. Our scouts have gone to their search. We should know what is needed by next turn."

  "A most wise solution, Force Leader. You have My Leave."

  Ann'wn was slightly displeased that her Queen yet seemed to remain distant from The Realm, “My Queen?"

  "Force Leader. What is it you wish from Me?"

  "Your raptor. Has she provided any reports?"

  "Not as yet, Force Leader. I will inform you of such when they are pertinent to your need."

  "Yes, my Queen. And Highness?"

  She sighed and nodded.

  "Please mind the perimeter. The guards have been informed to keep all inside of it, until we know what we are about."

  "To your will, Force Leader. I will comply."

  "Thank you, Highness. Your eve's meal awaits you, my Queen.” She bowed, then turned to her lover, taking The Healer's remaining good hand into her own. They walked away together to their eve's meal.

  Both watched as Ann'wn and The Healer left, “They seem well matched."

  San'lr'in’ turned to Sle'nel', wondering, “They will have their issues. They are both overly strong and insistent."

  She held out her arm to her love. Sle'nel’ placed hers on top, then returned her Queen's look, “I think they will remain strong for each other. Have you great concerns about El'fs'nd'lle?"

  The High Queen dropped her arm and turned to her, placing a hand on Sle'nel's cheek. She sighed, “My feelings at this moment run as a raging river. Battle faces us.
The wonders of El'fs'nd'lle await us, and our return to the Valley draws on Me like a child to sweets."

  "And then we go to Woden, my Love."

  She laughed lightly, then kissed Sle'nel’ softly, “I will willingly do so, as if we go it will mean we have returned safely to our Valley."

  Sle'nel’ touched her hand to her lover's face. She looked intently into her Queen's eyes, but could find no words to say.

  To make the moment lighter, San'lr'in’ held out her arm again, and as Sle'nel’ placed her own on top of it, they began to walk to their eve's meal, “Do you miss Woden?"

  She laughed, “Woden? I barely the moments to think on it. When I do think on it, it seems as a mere eve-vision."

  "I was informed that you were a most excellent Highest while your Highest was recovering from her battle."

  Sle'nel’ looked at her for a moment as they walked, then replied, “I have often wondered how you knew where to find us, so far out in the forest. There were many mysterious moments that make me wonder. You seem to have ears in the most secluded of places. And I have always wondered how Woden's forces won the battle against Buron. We had scouted one group of the enemy, only to discover that they never emerged. It was as if they disappeared. In truth, how did you know where to find us, when you saved me?"

  San'lr'in’ laughed “I don't guess that you would accept it as luck?"

  Sle'nel’ smiled, knowing her Queen well, “You are most correct. I wouldn't accept such a statement as truth from you. You leave nothing to the presumption. Even now as Ann'wn prepares to face El'fs'nd'lle, I would venture that you already know what enemies are about, if any, and have made plans for how we will enter into the gates. Why you don't inform Ann'wn of this is a puzzlement to me, but it is your fashion. It amuses me that she knows this not of you."

  San'lr'in’ laughed lightly again, “I try to remain one step ahead of all My forces, but would be well challenged if you were My Force Leader. Your intelligence was one of the features that most intrigued Me, aside from your astounding beauty. You drew Me to you as if you used a love spell, itself."

  Sle'nel’ blushed, but teased her, “Are you most certain I didn't?"

  Since The High Queen had been somewhat distant from her forces as well as The Realm, the camp had taken on a more formal atmosphere. As The High Queen and Sle'nel’ approached to the fireside, all those in the area knelt and bowed their heads, “High Queen."

  Well used to it, The High Queen thought little of it, “Rise. Continue with what you were doing."

  San'lr'in’ saw that Sam, Caitha, The Healer, Ann'wn, Sele', Ern'seln', and Mil'der'in were sitting around the fire, eating their eve's meal.

  The High Queen examined those about her, “We are missing many this eve, Force Leader."

  She nodded, “Fon'elnn', An'ther'on, Meera and most of your Black Guard are out on the scouting patrol, Highness."

  The High Queen was pleased, but said nothing. She helped Sle'nel’ to sit, then sat beside her, “Apprentice Master. How goes our Young One's lessons?"

  She rose, unsheathed her sword and turned to Sele', “Young One. Show our Queen of your learnings."

  "Yes, Apprentice Master."

  Sele’ rose, took her little sword and began her contest against Ern'seln'. The High Queen watched with amusement as well as amazement, seeing that Sele’ indeed had applied herself to her powerless lessons. Sele’ now had the body of a young child somewhere between their sixth and seventh cycle, but a mind that far surpassed most adults. Yet, the removal of her powers had confused her and made her lessons all the more challenging.

  When their display was over, The High Queen spoke to her, “Young One, I am well pleased by your progress and focus toward The Realm's need of you. Your display of a more formal stance in The Realm is also most appreciated, although I do miss your laughter."

  Sele’ bowed her head deeply, looking most serious, “Thank you, Highness. I work diligently to gain back the trust that I have lost. Your words are most kind, my Queen."

  "Have you adapted to having no powers?"

  She bowed her head again, “At moments I think so, but learn in the next moment that I haven't, my Queen. It is bewildering. I know not how the humans manage so well without them. I watch Caitha and the Warrior Woman often to find their secrets in such, but they act as if they need no powers. They seem perfectly content without them."

  "How can they miss that which they have never had, Young One?"

  She thought about it a moment, “Yes, my Queen. It is as you say."

  "I look forward to your next display, Young One."

  "Thank you, my Queen."

  Having been dismissed, Sele’ went back toward Ern'seln’ and sat beside her.

  "Apprentice-Master, I understand that the Young One from the Grandmother's dwelling is residing with you these turns. How does she fare?"

  "She remains fearful, but glad she is removed from there, Highness. She is most grateful for her rescue. She seems to have many talents, but as yet displays them little."

  "Do we know by what she is called, or who she is?"

  "She is called by Roen. Only this we yet know, Highness."

  The High Queen thought on the name a moment, “Roen.” She knew well the origin of the name but allowed it to pass silently for the moment, “You may bring her to the next meal, Ern'seln'. I would like to meet her."

  "It shall be as you bid, Highness."

  The High Queen turned her attentions to Mil'der'in, “Are you ready for our moment at the gates of El'fs'nd'lle, High Counselor?"

  "Mostly, I am just curious, Highness. But the opportunity to see El'fs'nd'lle does provide me with a great deal of fascination. I will be pleased to meet with U'Aine'."

  "Fon'elnn’ does seem a most interesting companion. And it has lasted for longer than an eve.” The High Queen smiled, knowing that Mil'der'in would see her kind intent in it.

  Mil'der'in blushed, but nodded knowingly, “It would seem that I am as uncertain in my affairs as is The Highest of Woden. But I am most intrigued by the Master."

  Sam laughed as well, “Then I feel most sorry for you, High Counselor, as I seem to be, as Jandra has said, a most fickle of lovers."

  Ann'wn watched her Queen carefully, seeing that San'lr'in’ was yet slightly removed from The Realm. She knew this stance of her Queen well. As San'lr'in’ remained distant from her subjects, she yet appeared close as she asked questions of their welfare. Ann'wn guessed that having to endure what the Dark Sorcerer had done to Caitha, The Healer, and Sle'nel’ would have taken a heavy toll on her Queen. Given The High Queen's burden, she was pleased that San'lr'in’ had even agreed to sit among them at this moment. But she also noticed that her Queen provided little advice unless asked for since the ordeal with the Dark Sorcerer. She reminded herself to ask more questions of her Queen for a while.

  When The High Queen was done speaking with all those around the fire, Ann'wn braced herself and asked her Queen a question, “My Queen?"

  San'lr'in’ closed her eyes slowly, then reopened them and nodded to her, “You have no need of My leave while we sit around this fire, Force Leader."

  "What are your plans for achieving the gates of El'fs'nd'lle, Highness?"

  Finally, Ann'wn had asked the correct question. The High Queen looked at her, surprised that her Force Leader even asked it, “To use the underground passages, if need be."

  "The underground passages? I know not of these. If I may, my Queen, may I ask why you have withheld this information?"

  San'lr'in’ sighed, “I interfere into your affairs overly often, Force Leader, and wondered if perhaps you might find an even better solution than mine. And perhaps none of our enemies will be waiting, in which case the passages will not be needed."

  "Will we be protected in these underground passages, my Queen?"

  "Until we exit from them. And I know not who else may know of them. Only Sle'nel’ can gain entrance into them, though. So it is only the exit that becomes our issue, Force Leade
r, and I have not, as yet, solved this dilemma to My liking."

  "But you have information coming that may answer your issues, Highness?"

  "You speak truth, Force Leader. It is as you say."

  The Healer rose, “Elf? May we leave for your tent so that I may inspect your wounds?"

  Sle'nel’ looked at her Queen, seeing The High Queen nod, “Please, My Desire. For Me, if not for you?"

  Sle'nel’ sighed, rose and went with The Healer.

  San'lr'in’ continued the conversation with Ann'wn, “I presently assume that the long-prior loyal Masters stand steadfast at the gates, protecting them, but am verifying this information. I am also finding out if the Mungardies are present. I assume the Deep Mystics will all also be providing their protection to the gates and us. Our enemies may be well out-maneuvered, but I know not as yet."

  "When will your sources inform you of such, Highness?"

  "When will yours inform you of what you now seek?"

  "Hopefully, next turn. No later than two turns, my Queen"

  "Upon that moment, we will place what we know together and make our best determinations for the actions we will take, if need be."

  "How long do you plan at El'fs'nd'lle, Highness?"

  "I know not, as yet."

  "Yes, my Queen. And when we return to the Valley, what will be our plans?"

  The High Queen looked at Sam, “Two items. The Mungardies. Once and for all, either way. Peace, or death. Then to Woden."

  Sam was pleased that San'lr'in’ was yet planning on visiting Woden, “Most excellent, Highness."

  San'lr'in’ nodded, “It is our pleasure to do as such for you.” She studied Sam for a moment, pleased with her progress, “You often amaze Me, Sam of Woden. You readily face Me when you feel Me wrong in regard to others, but will not take such a stance in regard to yourself."

  Sam blushed but looked her straight in the eyes, “I lost Jandra because I committed not to her and because she found the love she needed in you. When you removed yourself from her need, in your guilt, you neglected her as much as I had done."